2: Army National Guard Major Tim Woods stopped by before the Opening Ceremonies... | in a Black Hawk helicopter

3: An up-front and personal experience for the Ping All Americas | An up-front experience for the 82 Ping All Americas

5: Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Philip E. Smith, a Vietnam POW from 9/20/65 to 3/15/73 in China, greeted the players | The Opening Ceremony began with a parade of the players, standing with the Ping bags they carried during the championship

7: The ceremony began with Colors arriving with the Wings of Blue team from the Air Force Academy, an F-16 Flyover and the Star Spangled Banner, played by award winning Jesse Maguire

8: The Thunderbirds Big Chief Alex Clark welcomed the players

9: Major Ed Pulido from Folds of Honor Foundation was inspiring with his explanation of the importance of patriotism and service... | and his reminder that Freedom is not Free

10: Phoenix sports celebrity Jude LaCava served as Master of Ceremonies Players were introduced along with the name, service and rank of their Honoree

13: Each bag carried a story card of the Honoree - Players also received copies of the cards in memory of the event and the Honoree's service | Marty Predmesky carried his bag in honor of friend and fellow marine Corporal Christopher Scherer who was killed in Iraq July 21, 2007

14: The players had a police escorted ride to spend an evening in a hanger at Luke Air Force Base

15: Players were treated to a Mexican dinner courtesy of the Old Pueblo Restaurant and an F-16 Experience with members of Luke AFB 56th Fighter Wing

16: Tom O'Malley and Cameron Kohn of JDM Partners drew the names of eight players that would have an opportunity to experience a ride in an F-16 simulator

18: The "riders" were briefed on the joystick controls, followed by a view of the control room, then off to the simulators

20: Up close and personal with an F-16 Pilot, Major Andy "Wedge" Aduddell, a former Texas All American

22: All were the guests of Commanding Brigadier General Michael R. Rothstein

23: Major Aduddell shared his life experiences going from an aspiring golf professional to F-16 fighter pilot

26: Folds of Honor's Tony Biata introduced the Patriot All America "RMO's" (round metal objects) Challenge Coins - a bond now shared by all | The exchange of Challenge Coins began after a WWI airman's life was saved by virtue of a Harvard "lucky" coin